News

Have Hip Pain but too Young for Arthritis? Silver Cross offers Solutions

Orthopedic Surgeon Hosts free program on May 6

New Lenox, IL (April 29, 2014)— Has your active lifestyle of hiking and biking ceased to exist due to hip pain, but you think I’m too young to have arthritis? If you are like millions of Americans, arthritis may not be the cause of your aches. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or professional athlete, non-arthritic hip pain is a common problem, which can at times be disabling. To help understand the causes and treatments of non-arthritic hip pain, Silver Cross Hospital is offering a free program in May.

Join Dr. Bradley Dworsky, orthopedic surgeon, to learn about causes of non-arthritic hip pain and less invasive treatment options including arthroscopy and joint preservation. This free lecture - Hip Pain Slowing You Down? - will be held on Tuesday, May 6 in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., Pavilion A, New Lenox at 6:30 p.m. All participants will receive a GIFT BAG which includes a complimentary joint and back screening performed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross, and other items to help you stay active ($125 Value). Register to attend at www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

How the hip joint functions

The hip joint is designed to withstand repetitive motion and a reasonable amount of wear and tear. This ball-and-socket joint fits together in a way that allows for seamless movement. Whenever you use the hip (for example, by walking), a cushion of cartilage prevents friction as the hip bone moves in its socket.

“Even though the hip joint is sturdy, it isn't unbreakable,” said Bradley Dworsky, M.D., orthopedic surgeon. “Over time and with age, the cartilage can wear down. Muscles and tendons in the hip can get injured, or the hip bone itself can be fractured during a fall. Any of these conditions can lead to hip pain.”

Some other non-arthritic conditions that are most likely to cause hip pain include:

Femoral-Acetabular Impingement (FAI) is a deformity of the hip joint that limits the joints normal range of motion. Though it can be caused by trauma to the hip or by the repetitive movements of certain athletic activities, FAI is typically caused by improper bone growth in either the femoral head or the socket in the hip joint. Since not all bodies are alike, slight variations in anatomy can leave some people predisposed to the condition. There are two types of FAI, Cam Impingement and Pincer Impingement. In many cases FAI is caused by a combination of both types. Treatment options to correct FAI include: Physical Therapy, Anti-Inflammatory Medicines, Injections Corticosteroid, Steroid and Analgesic Surgery.

In addition, a labral tear is another non-arthritic condition that can cause hip pain. A labral tear is a tearing of the labrum (a thick cuff of fibrous tissue that surrounds the hip socket). The labrum cushions the hip joint and provides a smooth surface for the head of the femur to glide within the socket. Minor labral tears may cause no symptoms while some tears can cause a locking or catching sensation in the joint during certain movements. A torn labrum can interfere with the normal range of motion in the hip joint. Labral tears are typically caused by physical activity, especially activities with repetitive motion. They can also be caused by trauma to the hip or diseases that injure the bone or cartilate in the hip joint. Labral Tear treatment options include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications and Arthroscopic surgery.

“The correct diagnosis is very important in determining appropriate treatment for non-arthritic hip pain. For this reason, it is vital to see an orthopedic specialist who is specially trained to evaluate such conditions,” said Dr. Dworsky.

About Dr. Bradley Dworsky

Bradley Dworsky, M.D., specializes in sports medicine and is board certified in both orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Dr. Dworsky attended medical school at Rush University in Chicago. He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, and a sports medicine fellowship at Cincinnati Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center in Cincinnati, OH. He is an instructor of hip arthroscopy for the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Dr. Dworsky’s office is located with Hinsdale Orthopaedics at 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., Suite 200, in New Lenox. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 462-3474.

About the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) have teamed up to expand post-acute physical medicine and rehabilitation services in Will County and the southwest Chicagoland communities. The partnership provides world-class rehabilitation care for a range of conditions for patients close to home. Silver Cross is the only healthcare facility in the area with this breadth of services in partnership with RIC. Together, Silver Cross and RIC provide rehabilitation services in inpatient and outpatient care settings at four locations. Additionally, the RIC team provides physical therapy services for patients on the hospital’s medical and surgical floors. For more information about RIC at Silver Cross, call (815) 300-7110 or visit www.silvercross.org.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With over 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital on February 26, 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit http://www.silvercross.org/ or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.

AAHCP Hospital of Choice

* Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.